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Fine 20th century art of the Middle East is now selling at auction in specialized sales in Dubai for large sums of money. The present work does not appear to be by an artist, AL-HILALI, who is listed at the present time; however I feel the quality of the work suggests that as the market for modern Islamic art develops, the artist will be properly recognized. This oil on canvas measures 23 1/4" by 39", and is in a narrow period frame, with an intentional gap between stretcher and frame. Condition is good, with a small area of paint loss near the center, buried in the business of the scene (showing in photo as a white area--see photo), and there are several other minor abrasions elsewhere. The painting is signed at lower left and dated 1970. On the overlap on the reverse side is written "Omani dancers/June 1970/Al Hilali/For Bea and Lenny Gonsalves/(then signed again in English and finally in Arabic). I suspect that this couple could have been expatriates working in the oil industry of the Arabian Peninsula at the time, who purchased this directly from the artist. The painting is highly modernist and very decorative. .